Leicester home invasion suspect held for dangerousness hearing

EAST BROOKFIELD — A Leicester home invasion suspect is being held pending the outcome of a dangerousness hearing to determine whether it would be safe to release him on bail.

Timothy Lavin, 36, whose last known address was 11 Hyland Ave., Leicester, was arraigned before Judge Maura McCarthy Thursday in Western Worcester District Court on charges including armed home invasion, armed robbery while masked and indecent assault and battery on a person 14 or older.

He is also facing several drug charges.

Assistant District Attorney Joseph A. Simmons said that on Jan. 5 two masked individuals went to a home in the Cherry Valley section of Leicester, where they tied up the homeowner, his daughter and her male friend at gunpoint, then ordered the 71-year-old homeowner to open a safe.

Mr. Simmons said the suspects made off with about $50,000 in cash, along with jewelry and other items. Police have listed one of the stolen items as a Purple Heart medal awarded to the late father of one of the robbery victims. He received the medal for his service in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II, when he fought on the Pacific island of Iwo Jima, police have said.

The victim said a high-ranking military official sent a replacement Purple Heart to the Leicester police station, and police presented it to him. However, he would still like to have his father's medal returned.

According to police, Mr. Lavin, the only suspect arrested so far in the case, had zip ties like those used in the home invasion, a loaded 9 mm handgun and some of the missing jewelry at his home when police searched the house where he lives with his mother on Jan. 30.

During that search, Mr. Lavin left to go to a court appearance in Connecticut, a police report states. Police had been looking for him since a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Judge McCarthy ordered Mr. Lavin's $10,000 bail in a similar home invasion case be revoked. In that case, police allege that in 2010 he and two other masked and armed men burst into a Worcester apartment brandishing handguns and identifying themselves as police carrying out a drug raid. The victim was bound with zip ties and a computer cord while the suspects ransacked the apartment, taking money, electronics, jewelry and drugs, according to court documents. Mr. Lavin was indicted in that case and failed to appear for a court date Monday, prompting a judge to issue a default warrant for his arrest.

He was also wanted on the warrant for the Leicester home invasion and was apprehended Tuesday at a home in Millbury.

In court, Mr. Lavin's lawyer, Patricia Cantara, who was appointed only for the arraignment, asked that his appearance be waived. That request was denied and Mr. Lavin attempted to hide his face behind a hooded sweatshirt he was wearing.

Mr. Simmons mentioned the indecent assault and battery charge during the arraignment but did not disclose any details why the charge was brought. Police also declined to comment about specifics of the case, noting that their investigation is continuing and that there are other suspects at large.

Mr. Lavin, who, according to a police report, works siding houses, has a criminal record and in the last decade has been charged with breaking and entering and soliciting sex.

The dangerousness hearing is set for Feb. 20 in Western Worcester District Court.

Gary V. Murray of the Telegram & Gazette staff contributed to this report.

Contact Kim Ring at kring@telegram.com. Follow her on Twitter @kimmring